Dream Dance has a couple great events on tap later this month, and while one of them offers three chances, the other is the latest installment of a one-of-a-kind local culinary event.
On Aug. 17, 18 and 19, Oregon wines will be the stars as Certified Sommelier Christian Damiano of Dream Dance Steak, talks about his recent stay at Oregon Pinot Camp, a week-long, invitation-only educational event attended by nearly 300 wine pros.
"With its long, cool growing season, Oregon Pinot Noir is unlike wine from anywhere else in the world," said Damiano. "I'm very proud to have been invited to this outstanding camp, and am thrilled to share what I can about the world-class wines that are made right here in our country."
At the dinners, which are $65 per person and start at 6 p.m., Damiano will highlight '07 Montinore Almost Dry Riesling, '08 Maysara Jamsheed Pinot Noir, '07 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir and a single-vineyard wine from the Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards.
Dream Dance Chef Jason Gorman, of course, prepares the accompanying menu.
A few days later, on Aug. 23, two local culinary luminaries -- Meritage's Jan Kelly and Sanford's Justin Aprahamian -- face off at Dream Dance as part of an ongoing series of local chef challenges.
Each will prepare the second, third and fourth courses of a five course meal. Gorman will choose the proteins and a list of ingredients and the Aprahamian (who was nominated this year for a James Beard Award) and Kelly will work their magic.
Then, guests will vote to decide the evening's winner.
"The popularity of this event has really been astounding," Dream Dance Steak general manager Jeff Cook said. "We’re thrilled to bring the showdown back for a second time this year, and anticipate another fun-filled evening with these amazing chefs."
To complement the dishes, Milwaukee Certified Sommelier David Harrell will select wines,including the 2008 Ceretto Moscato d’Asti, the 2006 Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc and the 2008 Forefront Pinot Noir.
While I won't make Damiano's Oregon wine dinners, I'll be on hand to watch Kelly and Aprahamian duke it out on my plate. I'll report back after. I guarantee you, however, that I will make no attempt to eat any portion of a plate that contains four pounds of hamburger.
For more information, or to make reservations for these events, call (414) 847-7883 or visit paysbig.com/dining/dreamdance.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
